When life gives you lemons, suck it. Hot Tub Johnnie kicked off Hunnypot Live #360 on the 1's, 2's, 3's and 4's. Thomas Golubic returned to be king of Hunnypot guests and updated us on the latest news at SuperMusicVision, musical discoveries while in South Africa and his set started the dance party early. North By North tore the roof off for direction, Atomic Walrus dropped funky music bombs, Downtown Brown gave us schizophrenia in song(s), h2the gave us laser music and the night finished with another famous Hot Tub Johnnie Hunnypot Live! dance party. 2/20/2017
Thomas Golubic is a Los Angeles-based music supervisor, DJ and Grammy-nominated record producer. His music supervision credits include the AMC series Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul and Halt and Catch Fire, the Netflix series Grace and Frankie and Love, the Showtime series Ray Donovan, and the HBO series Six Feet Under among many other film & television projects. He is a founding and board member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, and is currently the head of their education committee. The Guild twice awarded Thomas with “Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama” for his work on Breaking Bad.
He was twice nominated for Grammy awards for producing volumes 1 and 2 of the Six Feet Under soundtrack album, and with former partner Gary Calamar was responsible for the use of Sia’s “Breathe Me” in the final scene of the series. It is considered one of the most memorable uses of music in television, and launched Sia’s music career in America. Thomas is also responsible for producing four soundtrack albums for The Walking Dead, the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul soundtracks, and has assembled various remix projects for EMI-Capitol Records and MGM, including reinterpretations of Peggy Lee, The Beach Boys, Henry Mancini’s Pink Panther theme and EMI’s Christmas Classics remix compilation ‘Merry Mixmas’.
Thomas’ formative years, musically speaking, were spent as a DJ, music programmer and on-air host for tastemaker LA radio station KCRW 89.9 FM. After ending his 10- year residency at KCRW, he turned his attention to music production and live audio/video DJ work. He formed The Arbiters, a music collective creating mash-up music and video productions, free-released two EPs, and created audio and video mash-up productions for clients including Google, YouTube, Microsoft and Levi’s. Thomas has also become known as an innovative club DJ spinning broadly eclectic music sets, often with live synchronized visuals. His SYNCHRONIZE re-score project, featuring live DJ re-scores of classic films has been featured at the Sundance Film Festival, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Luminato Festival in Toronto, Dubrovnik Film Festival, U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, various residencies in Los Angeles, and has been profiled on Turner Classic Movies.
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Atomic Walrus is a Los Angeles-bred band best known for their high-energy live shows featuring a unique blend of rock, hip-hop, and funk. Formed after the band's guitarist and drummer collided in a mosh pit in the backyard of a UCLA co-op, Atomic Walrus cut their teeth playing college house parties before expanding to venues all over LA, from the South Bay to Silverlake. Since then, the band has self-produced and released music, toured CA, and performed for 10,000 people at the Hermosa Beach Summer Concert Series.
Atomic Walrus is currently in the studio writing and recording their next EP, due in 2017.
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Exploding from (the suburbs of) Detroit rock city in 2001, and venturing to the absolute bottom of the rabbit hole by 2015, Downtown Brown (DTB) has carved a unique saga over their 14-year existence. Jamming a mutant style that splices together punk, funk, metal, rock, and hip-hop, DTB is a band impossible to categorize. People tend to either love them, hate them, or are just generally puzzled by their often politically incorrect, outrageous, satiric lyrics coupled with genre-hopping technical skill.
After nearly a decade of independently releasing media (4 full-length albums, a live album, and multiple dvds) and touring (100+ shows a year), Downtown Brown amassed a loyal following due to their infectious, energetic and ridiculously entertaining live show.
They signed with DC-Jam Records in 2010 to release their 5th studio album ‘Grabbleton’s Beach’, a concept piece that had critics scratching their heads due to its musical A.D.D. and lyrics ranging from childish absurdity to tongue-in-cheek satire. All confusion aside, the album helped propel DTB’s popularity to new heights and remains a fan favorite to this day.
In 2011, DTB caught the attention of Fishbone founding member Norwood Fisher, who soon after signed on to manage the band. Since Fisher’s involvement, the band has secured numerous endorsements, played multiple festivals, and toured with bands like The Adicts, Dead Kennedys, Peelander-Z, Fishbone, Psychostick, Andrew W.K., and even Insane Clown Posse (with whom they recorded a hilarious duet with in 2012).
DTB recorded and released their 6th full-length album ‘Masterz of the Universe’ in 2013. Produced by Fisher, ‘Masterz’ is the band’s first attempt at a ‘serious’ rock record. Although some of the material echoes DTB’s previous recorded lunacy, most of the album is comprised of tightly focused compositions written from a sincere state of being. The lyrics chronicle band leader Neil P.'s internal battles; dishing with brutal honesty about depression, love, chemical dependency, the state of the world, and staying true to the band's artistic vision against all odds. In true DTB fashion, the music remains incredibly diverse, provocative, fun, and possesses undeniable pop sensibility.
2015 finds Downtown Brown thriving in a world full of easy-to-define, cookie-cutter music. Combining metal grooves, spastic funk, catchy riff rock, and all-over-the-place vocals, DTB’s broadly enjoyable sound and incomparable live show has captured the attention of a global audience. In the Summer of 2015, the band will release their 2nd live album and will continue to tour relentlessly, spreading their warped gospel to unsuspecting music fans across the land.
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From producer, Diwon (Bonhom, Dreams in Static, Tyrone Gosling, etc) comes a musical project known as ‘h2the‘, which merges 80s synths with the walls of sound that make up the drum layering that have become Diwon’s signature. This is Synths + Beats for the Birds. h2the make their live debut on the Hunnypot stage.
Fake news massacres & football championships don't compare to the drama and theater that was Hunnypot Live #359. Hot Tub Johnnie immediately jumped from the roof to deliver a scorching opening set, Rich Goldman funked the whole place up with his origins stories with a musical score of his past life, Miken & Nordstorm gave us Swedish dance pop power, Ghost rapped tighter than two locked helmets, WARGIRL played a musical global thermal nuclear game with Joshua and the crowd and The Mighty Tears of Joy provided power in positivity. 2/16/2017
Rich will be spinning the FUNK HITS recorded at his legacy “5th Floor Recording Studios” featuring: Midnight Star, Ohio Players, Bootsy Collins, Zapp, Sheila E!, Prince and more!
Rich Goldman is President of RipTide Music Group, a leading music synchronization, publishing and administration company in Los Angeles. He is also President of Pacifica Music, a modern genre production music library. He’s is a lifelong musician who has amassed a broad range of industry credits as a producer, composer, sound designer, and recording studio operator.
RipTide Music’s “sync flavored publishing” credits range from the commercials for “iPhone6s”, “Google Chromecast” “, “Chico’s” and “Pepsi”, movie trailers of “Dr. Strange”, ”Jungle Book”, “Star Trek Beyond”, “Kubo and the 2 Strings”; TV shows “”, “Ballers”, “Empire” and “Lethal Weapon”, films, “Concussion” and ”Central Intelligence”.
With his wife Ellie, Rich started a rehearsal studio in Cincinnati and grew it into the legendary Fifth Floor Studios, one of the major centers for recording in the Midwest. At Fifth Floor, Rich engineered albums for clients including Bootsy Collins and the Ohio Players and collected gold records for his studio’s work with Sheila E, Prince, Midnight Star and Zapp.
Rich is a frequent speaker at various music events including ASCAP: I Create Music, PMA, Billboard Film & TV Conference, Game Developers Conference, British Sync Mission, Durango Song Expo and co-organized and moderated the MIDEM “Sync” panels from 2009 through 2015.
On monthly basis, Rich gigs with the Goldman Family Band that includes his wife Ellie, son Scott and daughter Jess.
Swedish duo Alicia (Miken) & Oscar (Nordstörm) met last fall in Los Angeles and started writing music together. Their first release, “Playing With Fire” (Box4Joy Records) was co-written by Icelandic DJ & Producer Ingi Bauer and has since the release in June 2016 reached over 110 000 plays on Spotify.
Following up their summer-hit and with a new collaboration together with Ingi Bauer, the Swedish duo has produced 5 new original songs that they’re showcasing at “Hunnypot Live at The Mint” the 6th of February in Los Angeles.
Their sound is a blend of Nordic Pop and Electronic Dance that has a sense of mystic to it. Coming from two different genres, Oscar with a long list of Techno releases worldwide and Alicia as a Pop & Folk-Music vocalist for several well known bands in Sweden, their sound is truly unique but with familiar analog attributes, classic original elements and a pulsating beat.
Meet Ghost, the Bryan, Texas native was raised in the dangerous community of "Kurrupt City." His vivid lyrics will haunt your thoughts, as he shares his life and experience with his music.
Inspired by Tupac's song, "Ghost" - Roderick W. Harris Jr. took on the moniker but gave it a different meaning. Motivated by Psalm 124, Ghost stands for "God's Human Outlaw Speaking Truth". Ghost received words of encouragement from Shawty Redd and Scott Storch that kept him focused and driven. With that, he began pursuing his dream.
Now living in Miami, FL, he launched Life Art Music Group. The company currently manages various artists including Ghost himself. In 2016, he graced SXSW and recorded enough material for a stash of mixtapes. As Ghost puts it, “the proof is in the pudding”, and he will be serving all of this content in 2017.
His first EP and same titled music video “Nina’s Son” is available on his website www.KurruptCity.com, Soundcloud, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. Ghost’s album titled “Kurrupt City” will be released in March 2017.
To know Ghost, means to simply understand, the melody of " life.."
Direct from Long Beach CA comes WARGIRL, Garage rock, afrobeat, and dubby smooth jazz played through broken speakers with some pop thrown in. With Marika Dahlin, Enya Preston, Tamara Raye, Matt Wignall, Erick Nieto, Jeff Suri, Anne Dereaux and other friends.
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The Mighty Tears of Joy, with their own brand of rich nostalgic soul/rock/pop are quickly becoming the next universally respected band to emerge from Los Angeles's indie scene. As American as apple pie, the powerful vocals and rhythmic mixtures resonate with the times, the feelings, the experiences of us all. These sounds can be felt feverishly brewing throughout their recordings, with an electro-psychedelic twist of throw back soul music. The Mighty Tears of Joy is a band of composers; together at the helm, Khalfani Saint Blanc and Gerardo Morales, venture to reintroduce authentic soul vibes, meaningful lyrics and hand clapping fun back into our lives. A community of world class composers/producers/players came together to make this sound possible. Names like Cyrus Melchor, Killa Karma, Christian Wunderlich, Mateo Amper, King Ahmos, Lala Mckay and those crazy kids over at D2 Mastering, helped bring to life this genuinely California feel.
With their own style of modern Beach Boy reminiscent melodies and Doo Wop Rock, The Mighty Tears of Joy breach topics of love, loss, and economic triumph, while evoking a spirit of movement. They are a romantic reminder that music teeming with anguish, passion and joy, can find its way to the heart and spirit of any listener.
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(INCEPTO RECORDS) Underground wiz producer & DJ Oscar Nordström (Nordstorm) have a long list of dance tracks and international shows in his duffel bag. With support from legends like Armin Van Buuren and Claes Rosén (L-?wiz) to shows in London & Los Angeles, Oscar always delivers something unique and colorful. Starting off his DJ career in Stockholm at numerous underground parties like “We Luv Bass” & “All Out Dubstep” and later taking over in Stockholm´s Dance & Techno -? scene at infamous Stureplan, a residency at “Spy Bar”and playing clubs like “Collage”, “Hells Kitchen” & “Solidaritet” he now focuses on spreading his original material with shows all over Sweden
"The year is 1987, and NASA launches the last of America's deep space probes. In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck" Rogers, are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life support systems, and returns Buck Rogers to Earth... 500 years later."
Show #358 would make Buck Rogers proud when he reads about it 470 years from now.
Hot Tub Johnnie started the night with a blast off of past and future hit songs. Jackie Subeck told us about her work with prop 64 and brought some medical marijuana friends along for a sampling session. Caitlin Payne soaked the hot tub with shared music moments that shape her story and feelings. Trent Park X Stella gave us singer/songwriter R&B music, Alyeska fuzzed our senses with her guitar rock, Will Makar gave us teary eyed soul, The Girl & The Glory belted the hard blues and Bronson Wisconsin did a farewell set of those Midwestern moods. 1/23/2017
Fun fact! Caitlin was born into a Gypsy Romanian family and was adopted from an orphanage in Romania at the age of two. She grew up in Washington DC and was surrounded by diverse culture, arts, and music at a very young age. Bruce Springsteen was a household staple and when Caitlin heard Clarence Clemons [from The E-Street band] "rip" on "Born To Run" for the first time, she was entranced and began her pursuit to secure a career in the music industry. Heavily inspired by a plethora of our history's greatest players, [such as Clemons, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins], Payne picked up the alto saxophone at the age of eight, and trained classically throughout her younger years. Caitlin played in all different style bands her high school offered and most especially loved going back and forth between her alto and six other woodwind instruments in "pit band" during the winter and spring musicals. Simultaneously, Payne landed first-chair in jazz band and received other prestigious musical awards throughout her high school career.
Before Caitlin attended Full Sail University, where she received a B.S. in Recording Engineering, Caitlin took a gap-year, and lived in Costa Rica teaching music to children (PreK – 6th grade) in Monteverde, the Cloud Forest. To this day, that experience has been a highlight of her musical journey, as she learned one of the most valuable lessons in life and in her career thus far; music is a universal language.
Payne currently works at FremantleMedia North America in Burbank, CA, where she oversees and develops music strategy for the global production, distribution, and entertainment powerhouse. On a day to day basis, Caitlin works diligently with all of FMNA's broadcast and digital productions, providing music creative services, clearance and licensing. Fremantle's content ranges from mega hits such as, American Idol (FOX), Family Feud (CBS), The Price Is Right (CBS), Let’s Make a Deal (CBS), America's Got Talent (NBC), and The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC), to more recently, the classic gameshow revivals, Match Game (ABC) and To Tell The Truth (ABC). Additionally, FMNA is underway on their exciting and promising new scripted series, American Gods (STARZ). "It has been an inexplicably wonderful opportunity to work across these shows. I recognize that the content we produce and distribute is not just television, it is a legacy. I have the utmost respect for what Fremantle has done over the years and for what Fremantle is currently doing," Payne says.
Prior to FMNA, Caitlin has worked on other hit television series such as, NCIS:LA, Legit, Rizzoli & Isles, and The Blacklist. Caitlin is an Associate Member of The Recording Academy, and continues her advocacy for music education. She loves volunteering her time with the Grammy Foundation, Grammy In The Schools, and MusiCares. With another exciting Grammy season upon us, Caitlin hopes that Adele wins every single nomination because let's just be honest, "she's the freakin' best!"
Alyeska is both the archaic spelling of Alaska and the name LA-based Montana native Alaska Reid chose for her indie rock band.
Akin to the visceral indie rock of Sharon Van Etten and Belle Mare, Los Angeles-based trio ALYESKA take us on a psychological and physiological ride of feeling separated from everyone else. A feeling of loneliness and confusion about the world around us and what the future holds. The jangly guitar arpeggios are mesmerizing while Reid’s vocals have a smokey, gritty infectiousness. Combine them with some terrific songwriting, and a brilliant, dynamic song is born. If the band was in Brooklyn, they likely would be immediate indie stars, which will eventually arrive if they continue to make such riveting music. - The Review
Members are Alaska Reid, Ben Spear and Enzo Scardapane.
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Will Makar is now residing in Los Angeles, California. His music is a combination of memorable pop hooks and radio-ready rock with an unforgettable live show that comes from hard work, commitment, and a live band with deep musical talents.
Will Makar, who first came to national prominence at the age of 16 as a finalist on American Idol 5, has already drawn large crowds at venues in New York, Austin, Houston, Nashville, and Los Angeles, as well as opening for John Mayer, Lee Brice, and Hot Chelle Rae. His video channels have garnered 150,000 views over the last year and these numbers continued to grow.
Will's set to record a new song once a month that will have a refreshing blast of energy, musicianship, and memorable hooks equally at home on stage as it is in your headphones.
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The Los Angeles-based, Pop/Rock quartet The Girl + The Glory makes the music you've been missing.
Simply put, their songs will rock you and make you want to sing along, again and again.
Aaeidi (vocals), Neal Gardner (guitar), Ian Hall (bass), and Lorenzo Scott (drums) formed the band in early 2016, with the intention of writing well-crafted music meant to be performed live on-stage.
The Girl and The Glory's music is very melodic, edgy and groovy. As if The Black Keys fronted Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Mix in a strong female voice, and you have the makings of very memorable music.
Drawing upon their collective influences and musical experiences, The Girl + The Glory spent many months writing and refining their material. The process was truly a labor of love and respect for the group, and the music reflects this.
The Girl + The Glory is currently seeking to build an audience and are excited to play in front of as many crowds as would have them. The band's exciting live set features fantastic hooks, music that will move you, and vocals that really need to be experienced.
Bronson Wisconsin is a tasteful collaboration of Alt-Country, Indie-Rock, and everything in between. Growing up as one of 9 kids in a musically diverse home, brothers Bronson and Preston was exposed to all the music they could handle and more than enough instruments needed to express themselves. Spending the long, cold Wisconsin winters the same way they spent the hot and beautiful summers, practicing their craft.
After achieving success as the globally recognized latin duo, Taalbi Brothers, Bronson went on expressing a different side of himself as a singer and as a songwriter. What started out as a "one day one song" demoing session, quickly turned into "3 days, 6 songs" and before they realized it, the brothers had themselves their first EP as Bronson Wisconsin.
"That Damn Piano" is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 10th in Bronson Wisconsin's hometown of Madison, WI.
"In the vein of Alt-Country / Americana but definitely with some bite and some grit to it. Very earnest with a "salt of the earth" quality to it, it doesn't hold back, and is very successful at steering clear of the overtly clean and faux americana that has taken over the 'dad-rock' radio market." -Kyle Kohler, Stage Banter (Podcast)
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Attention Medical Marijuana patients: Jackpot and Hunnypot are teaming up for a special event on Monday Jan. 23rd to bring you a Marijuana consumption-friendly, Sample gathering.
Selected marijuana distributors and merchandisers will be showing off their current and upcoming products. This month's Sampling Sessions is co-sponsored by Sensi-Chew (edibles), Evoxe Labs (vaporizers), Califari (art) Verde Essentials (delivery) and will be held at the Mid-City Music Lounge located directly behind The Mint. Don't miss the first in what we hope to be many unique music and marijuana related co-branded events. Their will be surprises and give-aways throughout the night.
***You will be required to provide your Prop 215 medical recommendation and ID in order to have access to the Mid-City Music Lounge. You will not be allowed in without it.***
7-10pm
Mid-City Music Lounge (behind The Mint)
6010 W. Pico Blvd.
LA, CA 90035
Hunnypot Live! brings music back to life for a new year. Our first show of 2017 didn't disappoint. Hot Tub Johnnie played old an new acquaintances to never be forgotten. Don Grierson gave another master class from his rich music business history of hits, K-Syran got in to the tub to talk about her music and theater life and then took the stage to serenade (with some help from Hunnypot Live host Jeff Gray & friend Tom Ferjo), Spookey Ruben scared everyone with haunting melodies and riffs, Tabitha pummeled the masses with a hard rock symphony and Khildlike returned with his musical friends to enlighten and entertain us again. 1/09/2017
Originally a Disc Jockey in Australia, Don Grierson, a legendary, internationally acclaimed A&R executive, has worked with many of the most notable artists in modern music history. As a promotion person for Capitol Records he was involved with The Beatles and the launch of Apple Records, receiving the only Golden Apple Award ever given by The Beatles. Don also worked in International, Marketing and Advertising for Capitol. He then became a founding member and VP, A&R, for EMI America Records, signing and working with acts such as Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes, Kate Bush, Sir Cliff Richard, J. Geils Band, and Kenny Rogers.
This was followed by a very successful period as VP, Head of A&R at Capitol where he signed and/or helped guide a number of hit-making artists, including Anne Murray, Tina Turner, Heart, Joe Cocker, Steve Vai, Megadeth, The Motels, Bob Seger, Duran Duran, Thomas Dolby, Billy Squier, and others. Later he became Sr. VP, Head of A&R at Sony/Epic Records in New York, signing and working with such acts as Celine Dion, Cheap Trick, Bad English, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, The Jacksons and Living Colour.
Don later became Co-Owner/Co-President of Drive Entertainment, an independent catalog oriented label and now currently operates his own music industrty consultant company, is a Music Supervisor for Independent films as well as an Executive Producer/A&R.
He is on the Advisory Boards of MusicBizPro, India; ArtistIntersect.com; is a voting member of The Grammys; an instructor at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, California and co-author (with Dan Kimpel) of the published book "It All Begins With The Music".
International singer/songwriter and activist K-Syran’s new album Smoke In My Veins, was released August 8, 2016 on Intimacy Records. The recording contains 12 brand-new tracks and features “Intimacy,” a hit song selected as the anthem for the 2016 United Nation’s International Women’s Day. The first single of the new album, “Hello,” hit pop radio stations in the USA on June 28. “Hello,” is already climbing the Billboard charts.
Known for her impressive soprano and a melodic fusion that combines elements of classical, pop, rock, jazz and techno influences, K-Syran made waves in the European dance music world with her 2016 dance-pop single “Testify,” recorded with Sugarbabes’ star Amelle Berrabah, accompanied by a controversial video clip, featuring intimate scenes with two women. The track became one of four songs by the Norwegian-born star that reached UK Top Ten Club Chart and Billboard, making her a prominent feature on the Ibiza circuit. K-Syran’s music has also been compared to such art rock figures as Bjork or Coldplay.
K-Syran’s newest release Smoke In My Veins was recorded at Metropolis Studios and was produced by Tom Nichols (Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue) and Charlie Thomas (One Direction, Nick Mason), credited as The Secret Agents. The record includes singles “Intimacy” and “Hello” – a bouncy pop song recorded in part at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, known as a birthplace of classic rock albums by The Beatles, Oasis, and Pink Floyd.
The album is a collection of seductive dance tunes combined with a thought-provoking message – a fusion distinctive of K-Syran’s style. “The power and joy of song has the ability to comfort and inspire each individual. Music can offer hope when people need it most – that’s what I want to give,” says K-Syran about her new release. “I wrote some of the material on Smoke In My Veins with women in mind, but the ideas and emotions behind my songs strive to be universal. I think it’s a mistake to think that lyrics in dance music cannot deal with anything of substance. Dance was a form of spiritual activity for human beings throughout the history of our kind, a powerful form of emotional and physical expression. That’s why I want my music to give audiences music that would move their bodies while engaging their minds. ” – she further explains.
K-Syran, is a singer-songwriter, actress, director, producer, and human rights activist, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Born in Norway, she embarked on musical career early on, following the footsteps of her father, a professional drummer. She has performed as a singer various ensembles, including a jazz combo and a hard rock band, throughout her youth. K-Syran’s notable musical collaborations include Sugarbabes’ Amelle Berrabah and British dance music producer and DJ Mark Loverush. Also known as Katrina Syran, she is a devoted feminist, who has a parallel career as a playwright and activist for women’s rights. In 2015, she took her play Breaking the Silence: Monologues on Gender, Voice and Violence to New York, where it was presented at the United Nations as part of a Lecture Series on women, peace and security. The play, co-written with Suzan Craig, is based on Human Rights Watch Women’s Division reports and discusses global problems that woman face. Breaking the Silence was nominated Best Play at the London Summit to End Sexual Violence In Conflict, organized by Angelina Jolie and William Hague. K-Syran received formal theater training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, graduating with honors and a degree in acting. Katrina has worked as an actor and director with the West End theatres and at The Young Vic, appearing in Ibsen’s Women as Nora and Voyage in the Dark as Anna. Her film credits include short film Don’t Miss the Cup, which she also produced, and recently a role in a UK TV series Head. She’s currently filming the feature film Espera, in which she has the leading role.
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Iconic avant-pop pioneer Spookey Ruben is an artist’s artist. The Canadian musician of many hats — you may recognize him from 2012’s “The Adventures of Spaghetti Cowboy” video with Feist and/or “Natural Born Grannies” with Ariel Pink — has been cited as an influence by a panoply of indie rock mainstays. Some of them, including Owen Pallett (Arcade Fire) and Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie), recently contributed to an Indiegogo campaign to release a 20th anniversary re-issue of his outlandish debut album, Modes of Transportation, Vol. 1, along with a brand-new LP Modes III (feat. collaborations w/ Geneva Jacuzzi, Esthero and Choir!Choir!Choir!) delivering yet another chapter of fresh-faced eye-popping sounds.
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Tabitha is a new Heavy Rock band formed out of the ashes of two of the members' previous bands (The Binges, BOOST), but now is solidified as a trio. Okai sisters Mayuko and Tsuzumi play the guitar and bass, respectively, and are joined by Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction and Porno For Pyros on the the drums. While the sisters are originally from Tokyo, Japan, Tabitha calls Los Angeles home.
In late 2011, a raw invention emerged into the music scene. khildLike (Yes, with a k) is a hip hop duo arising from southern kalifornia's 818, (San Fernando Valley). The duo konsist of a soulful singer (khosen) & an immakulate word smith (Life). Influenced by the hip hop legends; Fugees, OutKast, & Little Brother, the duo are well on their way to sweeping the industry and kulture alike with their raw street honesty and sweet soulful melodies.
Hunnypot Live! created a petition to eliminate Paul McCartney's song "Wonderful Christmastime" from the historical record. Right after that we hosted show #356 and our holiday party. Hot Tub Johnnie started the night with a set yule love to listen to on the rebroadcast. Gary Calamar spoke with us about the reason for the season, rock n' roll and gave us a set of his picks of the past year. Eric & Happie provided the folk spirits, Auditorium rocked our precious snowflake ears, Whiskey Dix brought the whole family home for the holiday and Angelo Moore was the tree topping star for the evening. -J. Gray 12-12-16
Gary Calamar, president of Go Music, is a five time Grammy-nominated producer and music supervisor who has overseen the music on some of the most acclaimed and popular shows on television including “True Blood”, “Six Feet Under”, “Dexter”, “Entourage”, "Weeds" and "House.” Gary’s current projects include “The Man In The High Castle” (Amazon) , “Good Girls Revolt” (Amazon), “Wayward Pines” (Fox), and the forthcoming indie film “Carrie Pilby.” Gary is also a songwriter and co-wrote the song “Let’s Boot and Rally” performed by Iggy Pop and Bethany Cosentino for True Blood. His debut EP as a recording artist, “You Are What You Listen To” was released on Atlantic Records to excellent reviews and airplay. His new single ‘The Prince of Pico Blvd.” / “Little Tokyo” will be released in January. Gary is also the author of "Record Store Days" (with Phil Gallo), and DJ at public radio tastemakers KCRW.
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Based out of Austin, Eric & Happie bring warm folk harmonies and indie sensibilities with their debut project, It’s Yours. The album debuted at #11 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter Chart and broke into the iTunes Top 200 albums overnight. From DC and Memphis respectively, Eric & Happie grew up with a love for American Folk and Pop alike. The two blend these styles seamlessly in their freshman effort. With a sound reminiscent of Tennis, The Strumbellas, and a hint of the Civil Wars, Eric & Happie are in the midst of a national tour.
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Auditorium is Spencer Berger. Berger began performing at the age of nine as a member of The Metropolitan Opera’s Children’s Chorus, singing onstage with such golden-throated legends as Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo. His self-released 2011 debut album (Be Brave) and 2012 EP (Nights Worth Living) dropped jaws thanks to Berger's goosebump-inducing voice and his gift for crafting lush, genre-defying arrangements that framed his instant-earworm melodies. Now, Berger is returning with his second LP, The First Music due out January 2017 — grand in scope (15 songs) yet tightly constructed (33 minutes), it pulls off a magic trick by unearthing beauty and hope in some of life's darkest, most harrowing corners.
Los Angeles group The Whiskey Dix is a four-piece featuring the much loved Film/TV Placement industry professionals Gary Miller of Universal Music Group, Tony Von Pervieux of AppStage and TVPmusic, Derek Syverud, and Emily Weber of Position Music. This talented group plays cover songs, "We rock the classic hits that we know you LOVE like Backstreet
Angelo Moore began his career in the early l980s as lead singer, saxophonist, and creative force behind the legendary band, Fishbone. Fishbone’s ability to blend social commentaryand humor with a blazing fusion of rock, punk, funk, jazz, ska, reggae, gospel and R&B led to their recognition as one of the most notable acts in American music. After over 25 years in the biz, Moore continues his role as frontman of Fishbone. The band has released l0 full-length albums. They have created the music for movies such as “Last Action Hero” (Arnold Schwarzennager), “The Mask” (Jim Carrey) and been featured with roles in movies such as “Idlewild” (Outkast) and “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka” (Keenan Wayan). Angelo has additionally collaborated with the likes of Little Richard, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton, Rick James and Spike Lee to name but a few.
A versatile artist, Angelo performs under the guise of his wildly energetic alter ego, Dr. Madd Vibe. Linking poetry, performance and music, this visceral artist’s solo performances range from pure spoken word and movement to playing the Theremin and various saxophones as well as reciting poetry accompanied by the Dr. Madd Vibe Aukestra. Stemming from his experiences growing up as a “fly in the buttermilk” in the predominantly white suburbs of Los Angeles, Angelo Moore addresses “Real Racism,” “Social Corrosion,” “SpiritualOvertones,” “Family Affairs,” “Personal Satisfactions and Suffocations” and the human condition in a world gone mad. Dr. Madd Vibe brings a spiritual and cathartic dimension to his performances in the tradition of innovators such as George Clinton, Sun Ra and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Between l997 and 2010, his solo efforts have spawned literary books and comic books that come equipped with soundtracks and the full-length album entitled “Dr. Maddvibe’s Medicine Cabinet” in which he wrote and played all of the music and instruments. Angelo has also created a Dr. Maddvibe orchestra with whom he has directed and performed in venues in the United States and in Europe.
Angelo Moore has taken his spoken word and sound power to the stage throughout
A diehard music and pop-culture freak, Rock & Roll Jeopardy contestant, ex-child actress, and voracious pop-culture vulture, Lyndsey lives in Hollywood, California with her cat Pussycow and a white snake named Whitesnake, piles of records, and a vintage television set that is always, always on.
Husband and wife James and Shanna Stein comprise the enthralling LA based duo that is Stein Sang. After meeting through a mutual friend, the two eventually folded into a relationship, and later blended in their musical partnership. This multifaceted partnership contributes to their music, giving them a unique perspective and sound. Self-identifying as “cloud music,” the pair collaborate wholly on their almost-ethereal folk-pop songs. Currently, the pair has one EP out, House of Sticks, three tracks of which have music videos available to watch on YouTube. They have just finished recording a brand new EP scheduled to be released top of 2017. Their upcoming single "Crush (Let's Go To The Moon) was co-produced by Chad Hugo from the Neptunes and is featured on Hunnypot's newest upcoming single compilation.
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Tall As Trees are real, pure, unaffected by outside influences. Their music is different, it is theirs alone. They believe in it, live it. Of all contemporary acts in the world today, perhaps only Tall As Trees do what others would like to do, and that is perform only what they believe in, what they feel, not what others think Tall As Trees should feel. Tall As Trees love you. They will not change their music or style to meet the whims of a frustrated world. You should appreciate this because you know they are pure what more can you ask?
Tall As Trees is the indie rock project of Matthew Clark. Joined by Miah Palmer on drums and Kris Camire on bass, TAT delivers a powerful blend of genre bending, instantly memorable,
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SUZY PARADISE grew up a Florida girl with an insatiable knack for mischief in the traveling surf world. Always Finding herself miles from home and in yet another sticky situation, Suzy quickly learned to garner her self-resilient wit to keep her head above water. Thus, she created “the Lifeguard” - her stronger & more redeeming self. “Suzy & the Lifeguard” is a story of self-empowerment encouraging listeners to follow their hearts and be shamelessly unique.
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Longtime Hunnypot attendees and party professionals Jazlyn and Danielle will be co-hosting this get-down with us. These girls will curate a listening session to please your ears and your dancin' shoes.
"It’s clear that Michael, Scott, Eddie, Parker, and Todd really enjoy playing together, and this translates into an amazing stage chemistry that is unrivaled on the rock scene today. In a time where many bands from their generation are starting to fall short of expectations during their live performances, Queensryche seems to be getting better with age."
The early eighties were a magical time for rock and roll. Bands like Judas Priest, The Scorpions, and Van Halen were all in their prime and new bands like Motley Crue and Poison were beginning to take a stranglehold on the Hollywood music scene. The Sunset Strip was teeming with new talent, and clubs such as The Whisky and Troubadour were showcasing these acts nightly. Then seemingly out of nowhere, a little known band from Seattle named Queensryche burst onto the scene. Their unique brand of melodic rock infused with thought-provoking lyrics quickly won over the hearts and minds of fans worldwide. Over 30 years and 30 million albums later, this band is still rocking harder than ever. On Friday, November 18th, Michael Wilton (Guitar), Todd LaTorre (Vocals), Scott Rockenfield (Drums), Eddie Jackson (Bass), and Parker Lundgren (Guitar) hijacked the House of Blues in San Diego, CA for what was sure to be an epic night of rock and roll.
Kicking off the evening was New York based symphonic rockers, Midnight Eternal. Although the stage lighting was a bit dark for my taste, Raine Hilai and company rocked the house with a short but powerful set of symphonic metal. Next up on the bill was Southern California metal icons, Armored Saint. I have not seen these guys live since 2008 Rocklahoma and they were simply amazing. The vocal power of John Bush combined with the guitar genius of Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan left little to be desired during this 45-minute no-frills assault. Gonzo Sandoval's drumming was plain badassery and Joey Vera killed that bass the entire set. My favorite songs from the nights performance included "Reign of Fire", Chemical Euphoria", and "Can You Deliver?" Only one word could describe Armored Saint's set on Friday - Powerful. I can't wait to see these guys again live in 2017. Finally, after an hour and a half of killer metal, Scott Rockenfield appears from the darkness and lights the way for his brothers as Queensryche took center stage at the House of Blues in San Diego's famous Gas-lamp District.
Queensryche opened the show with Guardian off their 2015 release Condition Human. This is one of my favorite tracks off of the album and they absolutely nailed it. Wilton’s guitar work and stage presence was simply epic! Next up was "Operation: Mindcrime". LaTorre had no trouble bringing this track to life with his amazing vocal range and dynamic stage presence. When you add in the accompanying Mindcrime video footage, it was like taking a time machine back to 1988 to revisit what many consider to be best concept album of all time. Definitely a highlight of the show. "Best I Can" rounded out the first three and simply kicked ass. Over the next hour, Queensryche fans were treated to an incredible set list that spanned their entire fifteen album discography. From crowd favorites such as "Empire" and "Jet City Woman" to more obscure classics like "Damaged" and "Killing Words", there was something for every Ryche fan. The 15-song set came to an end with a 3-song encore that set House of Blues on fire. Right out of the gate, the boys launched into "Hell Fire", another catchy track from Condition Human. "Screaming in Digital" off Rage for Order was the 2nd encore track and these guys crushed it. This was my favorite song of the evening and it was absolutely flawless. The show ended on a high-note with another Mindcrime standard, "Eyes of a Stranger". This song reinforced to me and all who attended the show just how talented this band truly is. It was awesome to see everyone out of their seats, fists in the air, and screaming along to this all-time classic.
As a Queensryche fan since 1984, I could not have been more pleased with their performance on Friday night. Each member of the band brought their best to the House of Blues in San Diego, and no one in this iconic venue walked away disappointed. It’s clear that Michael, Scott, Eddie, Parker, and Todd really enjoy playing together, and this translates into an amazing stage chemistry that is unrivaled on the rock scene today. In a time where many bands from their generation are starting to fall short of expectations during their live performances, Queensryche seems to be getting better with age. This band of brothers is still performing at the highest level, and their energy translates effortlessly into fist-pumping, high-octane rock and roll. If you have a chance to catch these guys live on their current tour, drop the coin and make it happen. I've seen Queensryche 3 times this year, and their show gets better each and every time. Pound for pound, this was the best show I have seen at the House of Blues all year long! Until next time...
Stay Frosty, Rock On, and Take Hold!
"In a world where music seems too often scripted and rehearsed, Gogol Bordello’s unique brand of “Pure Vida” cut against the grain of traditional pop culture and transported their fans back to simpler time where the music itself was all that mattered. And in the chaotic world in which we all seem to live, taking a small break to escape the madness was just what the Doctor ordered."
Gogol Bordello may be one of the most kick-ass (and possibly underappreciated) bands touring the states this year. Inspired by gypsy music and infused with punk and dub undertones, this talented group of wanderers from Manhattan’s Lower East Side have released countless albums, played in hundreds of countries, and inspired thousands of acts around the world to follow their dreams – all while staying true to their original mission. As founder and frontman Eugene Hütz so eloquently puts it, “Gogol Bordello’s task is to provoke audience out of post-modern aesthetic swamp onto a neo-optimistic communal movement to new sources of authentic energy.” Eugene’s take on their music is spot on and truly defines their unorthodox sound and spirit which ultimately makes this band so special.
On November 17th, Gogol Bordello set up camp in Southern California for night of musical mayhem that challenged the mind and inspired the soul. Whether you were a long-time follower of their movement or just started listening to their music, there was something for everyone who attended Thursday evenings show at The Observatory OC. Kicking off the evenings festivities was a cool local band called One Less Zero. Sara Wright's energy was infectious and easily fired up the Orange County crowd with a groovy sound and positive vibe that kicked some serious ass. This band is solid and definitely a "must-see" band when they are back in the area after this tour. After a short break, Gogol Bordello took the stage and immediately spun the near-capacity crowd into hyper-drive with their first tracks of the night, "Art of Life" and "Never Young". These were in my opinion the perfect songs to kick off the show and set the stage for an amazing night of music down in the OC. Next up was "Not a Crime" off of their 2005 album, Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike. Probably one of my favorite Gogol Bordello songs and took energy levels to a whole new level at the venue. Within seconds, crowd surfers were up and a mosh pit had formed on the Observatory's tightly packed floor. It was pure unadulterated pandemonium and the fans loved every minute of it. For the next 2 hours, Eugene Hütz and company absolutely killed it with twenty more classic Gogol Bordello songs that spanned their entire discography (including a few new tracks yet to be released). Throughout the show, Gogol Bordello's amazing chemistry was showcased by an unbelievable group of musicians including the ever-talented Boris, Pasha, Fredo, Sergey, Thomas, Pamela, Vanessa, and Pedro. I am sure it's not easy to pull off a show like this with so much talent on stage at any given time, but this group pulls it off and does so in fine fashion. Gogol Bordello wrapped up their magical set with two classics, "Alcohol" and "Baro Foro", which put the perfect bow on an incredible night of music at The Observatory.
Seeing Gogol Bordello live was an event not to be missed, and definitely lived up to all of my expectations. If you were one of the lucky ones that came out to see them Thursday evening, you undoubtedly walked away drenched in sweat after a night of non-stop partying with over a thousand of your closest friends. Those in attendance were treated to an incredible stage show (including accordions and violins), amazing musicians (9 to be exact), and a evening of pure mayhem from one of the most intoxicating live bands I have seen all year. Eugene Hütz and company gave it their all for their legions of loyal fans and ensured everyone in attendance got exactly what they came for. And from the smiles on plastered on everyone's face as the show came to an end, this was definitely the case. In a world where music seems too often scripted and rehearsed, Gogol Bordello’s unique brand of “Pure Vida” cut against the grain of traditional pop culture and transported their fans back to simpler time where the music itself was all that mattered. And in the chaotic world in which we all seem to live, taking a small break to escape the madness was just what the Doctor ordered.
For tickets to Gogol Bordello’s final shows of 2016, please visit click here. As you would expect, they are going fast and most shows are expected to sell-out soon. Get yours tickets today and be part of the madness that is Gogol Bordello.
Stay Frosty and Rock On!
"Dream Theater's marathon set at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts was truly one for the ages and probably the best live show I have seen all year (out of hundreds that I have attended in 2016). Wednesday’s "Astonishing" performance left no doubt as to why Dream Theater is considered one of the most talented and creative group of musicians on the planet today. "
If you are a fan of Dream Theater, it comes as no surprise that they are still on top of their game. For others who may just getting to know them, there is so much more to learn about a band who has touched so many and given so much over an incredible 30-year career. From their early days when they were known simply as Majesty to present day, Dream Theater has continued to create a distinctive brand of progressive rock that engages the mind and inspires their followers all around the world. Consummate story tellers, Dream Theater has a unique way of enlightening their audience through their incredible passion for music – an art that is very rare (and underappreciated) in this day and age. On November 9th, Dream Theater had the pleasure of bringing their latest story, The Astonishing, to life for a beloved group of fans at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, TX.
For those that have not attended a concert at the Tobin Center, it’s important to understand why performances at the HEB Performance Hall are different than your typical everyday concert venue. As Aaron Zimmerman, VP of Programming and Marketing notes, “Where other venues were designed simply with capacity in mind, the H-E-B Performance Hall was designed so the acoustics could adjustable to suit the specific needs of each performance type, consistently producing an enveloping acoustical experience. The accommodating and modest seating capacity of 1,738 (or 2,100 with flat floor) supports intimacy between stage and audience, allowing the sights and sounds of every show to resonate with clarity.” Taking this into consideration, there may not be a better theater in the United States for Dream Theater to perform The Astonishing in its entirety than in this world class venue on the banks of the historic San Antonio River.
Prior to the show getting underway, Dream Theater always takes some time to meet their most loyal fans in a special VIP Meet and Greet. What was different about this session (vs. other commercial VIP events) was that the band actually took time to interact with each of their fans personally. Fans of all ages and walks of life had a chance to interact with Dream Theater up close and personal. Some got autographs from their favorite band members, others had their unique Dream Theater memorabilia signed (one fan bringing in an Ernie Ball MUSIC MAN JP6), and most took advantage of the cool photo-op with the band. Fans were never rushed, and the band seemed truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support received throughout the event. I’ve been to several Dream Theater M&G sessions over the years, and each one has been unique based upon venue location and fan base. For die-hard Dream Theater fans, this is a “bucket list” type of an event that should not be missed under any circumstances.
For those who are unfamiliar with Dream Theater’s 13th studio release, The Astonishing, it’s an epic concept album that takes listeners on a futuristic journey to the year 2285. Real music as one knows it ceases to exist and is instead replaced with artificial noise created by machines called NOMAC’s. Struggling against the tyranny of The Great Northern Empire of the Americas, the Ravenskill Rebel Militia work tirelessly to resist the oppression using the magical power of music in hopes of turning back the clock to a time where music is ultimately appreciated again. The 34-track double CD is one of Dream Theater’s most ambitious releases to date, but fails to disappoint even the most discerning Dream Theater fan. The storyline is captivating, the characters are relatable, and the music is by far some of the most imaginative Dream Theater has ever released. Those in attendance at Wednesday night’s show were in for a night of unbelievable music they would not soon forget.
As the lights finally dimmed in the HEB Performance Hall, the near-capacity crowd rose to their feet and greeted Dream Theater to the Tobin stage with a raucous standing ovation. Giant floor to ceiling LED screens captivated all in attendance as the NOMAC’s descended from the heavens as “Dystopian Overture” kicked the night into immediate hyperdrive. As the instrumental winded down, front man James Labrie entered stage left and immediately launched into one of The Astonishing’s most incredible tracks, “The Gift of Music”. From that point on, it was no holds barred as the virtuosi of Dream Theater amazed and delighted their legions of fans with some of the most technically proficient music I have ever seen performed in a live setting. Bassist John Myung and Drummer Mike Mangini played out of their minds the entire evening, while keyboardist Jordan Rudess did things with his keyboard that should not be humanly possible. James LaBrie’s vocals were spot on the entire evening, nailing The Astonishing’s multiple characters flawlessly as the storyline progressed throughout the show. And then there was guitarist John Petrucci. He never fails to amaze on his 7-string with lightning fast riffs that seem to come as effortlessly as the sun rises and sets. Petrucci’ s performance Wednesday night was breathtaking, and there is no doubt that he is one of (if not the) most talented guitarists on the planet today.
After Dream Theater nailed The Astonishing’s 2-Act set, they returned to the stage for a “surprise” encore of greatest hits that until recently was not part of the show. Tobin Center guests were treated to three additional songs including “As I Am”, “The Spirit Carries On”, and crowd favorite “Pull Me Under”. As most in the audience were totally caught off guard by the encore, it took the energy in the room to a whole new level for the remainder of an already mind-blowing show. The audience seemed to be electrified as each song progressed, with everyone in the HEB Performance Hall out of their seats and singing along to classic Dream Theater. For those in attendance, the encore was a perfect way to cap off an amazing evening of live music and brought even bigger smiles to all the die-hard fans in attendance.
After the show, many enthusiastic followers (who have seen Dream Theater on multiple stops this tour) noted that their performance at The Tobin was one of the best they had seen all year. Some believed this was due in part to experiences gained on the first leg of the tour, while others believed that the intimate setting of the HEB Performance Hall allowed Dream Theater to bring The Astonishing to life in a way that could not have been done within a normal concert setting. Regardless of the reason, their marathon set was truly one for the ages and probably the best live show I have seen all year (out of hundreds that I have attended in 2016). Wednesday’s "Astonishing" performance left no doubt as to why Dream Theater is considered to be one of the most talented and creative group of musicians on the planet today.
Dream Theater continues their 2016 trek across America supporting The Astonishing. Tickets and VIP Packages for the remainder of their North American tour dates (as well as their upcoming European Tour Dates) can be purchased HERE.
Until next time,
Stay Frosty and Rock On!
Hunnypot Live! has always been a safe space for the eclectic music music lover and this past show provided sanctuary from the left and right punches of real life.
Hot Tub Johnnie proceeded in to the night with burst bombs of musical revolutions in the air. Michelle Johnson took brought us an emotional musical response to how she's feeling these days, Katie Burden marched us through her indie/psychedelic rock pummeling, Alice Underground brought independent spirit with a ragtime rock & dance extravaganza, LIINKS was the progressive bringing future urban sounds, Daddy Issues "distorted" the truth and it sounded great and Conn Raney gave us hope for the future with his positive song messages. 11-14-16
-J. Gray
Michelle Johnson was born and raised in Southeast Texas. Descendent of farmers, she was the black sheep of the family and moved to New York City in 1987. She has a strong background as a musician and performed in various alt-country bands throughout the ‘90s; touring the vast NYC circuit as a guitarist and a vocalist.
In the late 90’s she started DJ-ing. She describes her set as “very eclectic” – ranging in genres from World, Dance, and Classic Disco to Indie Rock and Pop. Custom tailoring each set while she effectively reads the room. Her DJ performances include spinning at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for three years and Google events at their Venice location, as well as being hired for a range of industry parties, magazine launches, and private events.
Since she was a kid, the most important thing to her has been music, film, and television. Michelle started music supervising independent films after moving to Los Angeles in 2004. She worked on several features including The Custom Mary, Five Star Day, For The Love of Dolly, and Hooters! After being recommended to Thomas by a mutual friend, and realizing they coincidentally lived three houses apart, Michelle went on to join the SMV team. Coming in during Season 4 of AMC’s critically acclaimed Breaking Bad, Season 2 of the crazy popular AMC television adaptation of The Walking Dead, and the eccentric documentary Felix Austria!, Michelle added her creative insight to expand the team into new and exciting ways. She was also heavily involved in season one and two of AMC’s The Killing, the pilot of Good Christian Bitches on ABC, and all of SMV’s projects moving forward.
Michelle is a LGBT activist and is regularly involved in event planning and community programs. She also created a pseudo documentary in 2007 called Triple X Selects: The Best of Lezsploitation that hit the festival circuit and won several audience awards all around the world.
The dark and moody undercurrents of the new material called for Burden to dig deeper into her emotional well, something that she struggled with when performing the songs. “I have a hard time feeling emotions sometimes” the songwriter notes. “Art makes me less afraid to feel and also less alone.”
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Alice Underground is a time traveling caravan to an anachronistic era set in a locale that’s both familiar and fantastical. For the five members of the LA-based group, however, this has been a journey by happenstance. What was a one-off show now has the quintet chasing mythical characters and architecting a swamp cabaret aesthetic.
Five years after its fateful first show, the LA-based quintet now issues a stunning debut, Cambria Sessions. An album bathed in the blue hues of broken dreams, noir romance, and Golden Age Of Hollywood opulence.
Alice Underground whisks listeners and concertgoers away to an elegant underbelly teeming with deviant jazz, punk rock vigor, vaudevillian theatrics, and sensual emotionality. The group’s oeuvre varies between originals that feel like they were plucked from an American Songbook from a Tim Burton-themed time capsule, and jazz standards reimagined to showcase Alice Underground’s gift for conjuring longing and lasciviousness. The group counts as influences David Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald, Trent Reznor, and Billie Holiday. Fittingly, Alice Underground has been described as “gypsy jazz with a proto-punk edge.”
The quintet’s dark seductiveness, gothic glamour, and mythological imagery of the character Alice as a conceptual muse have endeared it to fanatics of steampunk, fantasy, and cosplay. Live highlights for the band include appearing at Los Angeles County Museum Of Art’s New Year’s event Golden Stag, hosted at the famous Los Angeles Park Plaza Hotel, and performing at the closing ceremonies for the Anime Expo in Los Angeles. There the group played originals, and backed cult artist Yoko Takahashi, singer of the theme song for the popular animated Japanese television series Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Alice Underground is Tash Cox vocals, bass, piano; Sasha Travis, vocals; Scott Landes, guitar, piano; Gordon Bash, standup bass, piano, guitar, vocals; and Steve Kefalas, drums, percussion. The band members boast eclectic and impressive resumes. Lead vocalist Tash Cox formerly sang with The Beta Machine, which included members of A Perfect Circle and Eagles of Death Metal. Tash has also sung in many operas, Neely Bruce’s, “Circular 14: The Apotheosis of Aristides” being her favorite. Scott Landes has played with Collide, Android Lust, I, Parasite, and ¡BASH!, among others. Steve Kefalas has also been a member of Android Lust, I, Parasite, and ¡BASH!. Gordon Bash is an active jazz and rock musician, that has appeared on America’s Got Talent playing with William Close. He heads up the punk/rockabilly band ¡BASH!, and is also the bassist for the popular ska band Save Ferris. Sasha Travis is a singer, producer, director, and all-around artist. She has directed and produced for the Labyrinth Masquerade Ball, and Golden Stag events, written and directed for the Astra Dance Theater, and been a long time co-collaborator at Sypher Arts Studio.
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The first song LIINKS ever wrote (prior to actually calling themselves LIINKS) was stolen from them and became a #1 radio hit in South Korea. The duo had decided to post one of their first demos, a song called We’ll Never Know (later re named Swing) to an online streaming service. A few months later they received an email from a Korean law firm letting them know their song had been stolen by a big name Korean producer, was released by mega K Pop star Hyori Li and had reached #1 on their Top 40 radio stations across the county. The duo settled out of court and the Korean producer ended up in jail. What seemed at the time to be really upsetting is actually what inspired the duo to create their partnership and eventually become LIINKS.
LIINKS is a Canadian born collaboration between singer/songwriter Georgia and producer DWhiz. Georgia's haunting vocals project a delicate image of soul music smattered with the eerie sensibility of classic trip-hop. Backed by cinematic beat-scapes created by DWhiz, the LIINKS sound is electronic pop with an organic quality. The independent duo launched on April 1st, 2014 with their first single The Break. A radio programmer in Victoria, BC played The Break on 107.3 Kool Fm and by April 8th The Break was the most added track to Canadian radio and went on to peak at #35 on CHR Billboard and #18 on the Emerging Artist Billboard charts in Canada. The success of The Break grabbed the attention of legendary producer Bob Ezrin who helped the duo land a publishing deal with Universal in Los Angeles where LIINKS currently resides.
Recently LIINKS was featured on several high profile electronic viral hits with artists Datsik, Mord Fustang and Ephwurd which combined have had over 3 million plays online. Their most recent collaboration was with Datsik and Blink 182’s Travis Barker on the song Dark Star which LIINKS co wrote and features Georgia on vocals. LIINKS is currently writing and recording in LA and working on their debut EP set for release in late 2016.
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Often hailed as “the B-52’s on steroids,” Daddy Issues is a high-energy band from Southern California that entertains audiences with fun, sexy shows and loud guitars to match. The band is the brainchild of singer/songwriter, Angela Alvarez, and bassist, Julia “Jules” Whelpton, and is known for its catchy tunes and on-stage antics. From fall 2013 to present day, Daddy Issues has played sold out shows in Southern California, Arizona, and Las Vegas at legendary venues such as House of Blues, Belly Up Tavern, the Casbah, and Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles.
The band began in San Diego when lead singer, Angela was in search of an original rock band after moving from Scottsdale, AZ. Using Craigslist, she found a band called The Justice Fire, where Jules played bass. Within a couple of months, the pair decided to split off and create a high-energy rock band that mashed other forms of popular music together. They tested the name Daddy Issues at a local acoustic show in November 2013 to positive reception, and then decided to pursue the full-band setting.
Their career was further boosted by local radio play, eventually the band got the attention of local rock legend, Roni Lee. Lee recently signed Daddy Issues to her label, Play Like a Girl Records.
Taking cues from No Doubt, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys and The Foo Fighters, the band's music is a blend of 90’s and modern tropes.
The songs contain catchy riffs and singalong choruses, an incorporate various musical styles such as reggae, punk and latin. Their wide variety of influences include The Beatles, Aerosmith, Queens of the Stone Age and Halestorm to name a few. Recording with Jim Wirt of Crushtone Records in Cleveland, OH, Daddy Issues released its first full-length album, Handle It, in September of 2016.
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Conn Raney is a recording artist born in Modesto, California. When Conn was in the 2nd grade his family moved from Modesto, California to Portland Oregon, so that Connor's dad could attend Multnomah Bible College. It was also in Portland, Oregon that Connor heard his first Rap song - 'Gangsta's Paradise' by legendary rapper Coolio. Once hearing this song, it completely changed his perspective on music and life. He eventually began writing and performing songs at his school! However, those close to Conn never viewed music as a legitimate career choice. Instead, he was always pushed to play sports and go to college, but never to continue creating music and pursue a career.
He earned the title of NCAA All American Kicker for Division 3 after his senior year at California Lutheran University and found himself trying out for professional teams ranging from Arena Football to the NFL - all the while creating music purely out of passion. During this time, some soul searching happened and Conn made some interesting and controversial decisions. He was offered a contract to play football for the San Jose Sabercats of Arena Football...and guess what...he turned it down. He had made the decision that he was not going to let anyone else's opinion of his career path influence him any longer. His focus was now on building a career in music. Since then he has been fortunate enough to write and produce theme songs for several high school football teams and one professional soccer team (Chivas USA) – all of which was achieved while maintaining a full time job working with kids and families in need. Having grown up struggling financially and being raised with a strong moral background he has always had a passion for helping those less fortunate and he plans on continuing doing so through his music. Stay in touch with Conn and join him on his journey to leave a mark on the world!